It all came down to one final, heart-pounding moment. A single stroke, a bizarre rebound, and an unimaginable twist of fate. The Kerala cricket team, after years of heartbreak and near misses, has virtually sealed its place in the Ranji Trophy final for the first time in its 74-year history. One step away from glory.
The semifinal against Gujarat at the Narendra Modi Stadium was nothing short of a blockbuster thriller. Kerala’s bowlers, led by Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarvate, fought tooth and nail on the final morning, knowing that a mere two-run lead on the first innings would be enough to send them through. But Gujarat, defiant and desperate, clung on with every ounce of resilience, bringing the contest to an edge-of-the-seat climax.
And then came the moment that will be etched in Kerala cricket folklore forever.
The Unbelievable Finish: A Stroke of Fate
Needing just one run to match Kerala’s 457, Gujarat’s No. 10, Arzan Nagwaswalla, took matters into his own hands. With a forceful slog-sweep, he sent the ball soaring—only for it to rebound off Salman Nizar’s head at silly point and land safely into the hands of captain Sachin Baby at first slip. A surreal, almost cinematic dismissal. The Kerala players erupted, emotions pouring out like a dam breaking. Two runs. Two inches between hope and despair. And Kerala was through.
Sanju Samson’s Emotional Message
Amidst the euphoria, Kerala’s beloved son, Sanju Samson, who had played the early matches of the season, took to social media to express his overwhelming pride.
“Absolutely thrilled to see this happening… A dream we all believed together 10 years ago is just 1 step away, boys!!”
The Journey to the Brink of Glory
Kerala’s first-innings total of 457, powered by a majestic 177 by Mohammed Azharuddeen*, had set the stage. Captain Sachin Baby and Salman Nizar played crucial supporting roles, grinding down Gujarat’s attack with determined half-centuries.
But Gujarat wasn’t going down without a fight. Priyank Panchal’s commanding 148 and Jaymeet Patel’s resilient 79 dragged them within touching distance of Kerala’s total. It all boiled down to the final morning, where Kerala’s bowlers staged a dramatic fightback, applying relentless pressure until the most unbelievable dismissal sealed Gujarat’s fate.
The Final Awaits: Can Kerala Complete the Fairytale?
For a team that has fought for decades in the shadows, this is their moment of reckoning. The Ranji Trophy final awaits, and with it, a chance for Kerala to script a fairytale that will be told for generations.
Can Kerala dare to dream all the way to the title?
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